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Planning commission approves sign variance for Bright Path daycare at Davidson Road
Summary
The Hilliard Planning and Zoning Commission on March 13 approved a sign variance for a Bright Path daycare at the Britton Parkway/Davidson Road roundabout, allowing a monument sign with a reduced cap height and a logo with additional colors; the vote was unanimous, 7-0.
The Hilliard Planning and Zoning Commission on March 13 unanimously approved a sign variance for a daycare in the Davidson-Britton PUD, allowing two wall signs and a ground monument sign with extra logo colors and a reduced monument cap height.
Staff told the commission the site is just over 4 acres at the corner of Britton Parkway and Davidson Road and that the project previously received final development plan approval in March 2024. The applicant requested permission for two wall signs and a monument sign that contain more colors than normally allowed by city code and for a monument cap reduced to 13 inches; staff said the code requires a cap between 18 and 24 inches. Commission staff recommended approval with two conditions, concluding the design meets the spirit and intent of the code and “will blend in with the general character of the area.”
Alyssa Sherry of Prestige Signs, the applicant’s representative, told commissioners the sign’s artwork uses seven colors. “It is 7 colors, with a logo there,” Sherry said, and offered to provide photos of similar face- and halo-lit signs for the file. Commissioners asked whether the sign’s face and halo illumination and the number of colors would be a precedent; planning staff said the color limit is not a scientifically derived number but a practical guideline intended to keep commercial signs legible and not distracting. Staff noted past approvals have allowed 5–7 colors in cases where the extra hues were minor elements of the logo.
During the discussion one commissioner asked whether the city should set a hard limit, noting past limits were four colors (three plus a black or white background). Staff replied the rule is intended to be flexible: businesses that need more colors may request a variance and the commission evaluates legibility and overall visual impact.
A motion to approve the variance “with the two conditions listed in the staff report” carried on a roll call vote of 7–0. The motion was seconded by Mr. Marsh. The staff conditions will be included in the file and enforced through the city’s sign permit process.
Clarifying details: the approved monument sign cap measures 13 inches; the city code specifies a cap between 18 and 24 inches. The applicant described the logo as using seven colors; illumination will include both face lighting and halo (back) lighting. The commission recorded no public opposition for the item.
The approved variance will be implemented through the city’s permitting process; the applicant agreed to provide photo examples for the record and to supply final sign drawings as part of permit review.
